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Pokémon binders: which size and how many pockets?

When you buy a binder the title usually contains a number such as “9-pocket” or “360 cards”. What that means, and how to derive the right size from it, is less obvious than it seems.

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Pockets, pages and sheets

The number of pockets tells you how many cards fit on one page. Common are pages with 4 pockets (2 × 2), 9 pockets (3 × 3) and 12 pockets (4 × 3). The 9-pocket page is considered the standard for trading cards.

Many binders count sheets, not pages. A sheet has a front and a back, so it offers two pages. A binder with 20 sheets and 9 pockets per page therefore holds 360 cards when both sides are used.

How many cards fit

Binder capacity by pockets per page and number of sheets, both sides filled
Pockets per page1 sheet3 sheets6 sheets12 sheets
4 (2 × 2)8244896
9 (3 × 3)1854108216
12 (4 × 3)2472144288

The table shows how many cards fit in the binder, not how many you should put in. Leave some room if the collection is meant to grow.

Which size suits which purpose?

  • A single favourite Pokémon: one 9-pocket page is enough to start. Plan a few extra sheets so the collection can grow.
  • Several Pokémon or whole sets: a binder with many sheets saves shelf space. Check how many cards the set has before choosing the size.
  • A gift for children: 9-pocket pages are easy to handle. Cards sit securely and nothing slips out when the binder lies open.
  • Larger collections: 12-pocket pages hold more per page, but the pockets are narrower. Check whether your cards, if sleeved, still fit.

Common mistakes

  • Looking only at the card count in the title: check whether the figure refers to both sides.
  • Mixing sleeved cards with pockets: a sleeved card often needs more room, so a binder used with sleeves usually has a lower capacity.
  • Overfilling a ring binder: an overstuffed binder bends cards at the rings. Leave it a little looser.

Keep reading

Design a gift binder